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CDC Removes Another Excuse for Keeping Schools Closed

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The Centers for Disease Control has relaxed yet another recommendation for K-12 schools, making the argument for not bringing students back for in-person learning weaker.

In recent revised changes made to the operational strategy guide, the CDC changed the basic social distance guidelines.

“Revised physical distancing recommendations to reflect at least 3 feet between students in classrooms and provide clearer guidance when a greater distance (such as 6 feet) is recommended,” the summary of recent changes stated as of Friday.

Another major revision includes the recommendation for “physical barriers,” like plexiglass, being removed.

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This comes after a study by the agency that confirms that children and teachers in schools do not necessarily pose a higher risk to community transmission than other facilities or activities.

“CDC is committed to leading with science and updating our guidance as new evidence emerges,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, according to The Washington Examiner.

“These updated recommendations provide the evidence-based roadmap to help schools reopen safely, and remain open, for in-person instruction.”

Should schools be open for in-person learning?

By making the requirement three feet as opposed to six feet, schools could potentially reopen in terms of logistics physically. However, this guideline being lifted is no indicator that some teacher unions and districts will budge to fully reopen anytime soon.

“The CDC’s shift from 6 feet of physical distance in schools to only 3 is rash & based on a flawed report. Educators are voting on an agreement with LAUSD that would lock in the 6 feet, which has been the trusted safety standard since the pandemic began,” Unified Teachers Los Angeles tweeted Friday.

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Los Angeles Unified School District finally came to an agreement earlier this month with the teachers union to return to hybrid instruction in mid-April for elementary schools, The Los Angeles Times reported.

But middle schools and high schools in Los Angeles might have to wait until late April or May, which is essentially pointless given the fact that the school year is almost over.

The battle over schools reopening occurring between parents, school districts and unions have been ongoing for months in many areas, especially major metropolitan places considered coronavirus hot spots.

As more Americans get vaccinated and cases continue to drop, parents and students should remain hopeful that schools will be open for full in-person learning by next year nationwide.

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Cameron Arcand is a former writer for The Western Journal.
Cameron Arcand is a political commentator based in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2017 as a school project, he founded YoungNotStupid.com, which has grown exponentially since its founding. He has interviewed several notable conservative figures, including Dave Rubin, Peggy Grande and Madison Cawthorn.

In September 2020, Cameron joined The Western Journal as a Commentary Writer, where he has written articles on topics ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Recall Gavin Newsom" effort and the 2020 election aftermath. The "Young Not Stupid" column launched at The Western Journal in January 2021, making Cameron one of the youngest columnists for a national news outlet in the United States. He has appeared on One America News and Fox 5 DC. He has been a Young America's Foundation member since 2019.
Location
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